BBC The English We Speak

The English We Speak

Make the English you speak sound more natural with The English We Speak from bbclearningenglish.com. Every week, we look at a different everyday English phrase or piece of slang in this fun three-minute programme.
English United Kingdom Language Learning
240 Episodes
20 – 40

Plan b

If you need an alternative option, you need to know this phrase. Learn how to use it.
28 Nov 2023 2 min

Sound out

Sometimes you just want to find out what someone else thinks.
21 Nov 2023 2 min

Fly by night

When companies or people can't be trusted, use this expression.
14 Nov 2023 2 min

One-up

Do you want to beat your friends by saying what you have done that is better than them?
14 Nov 2023 2 min

Mental gymnastics

How do we talk about complicated tasks done by your brain?
24 Oct 2023 2 min

Call dibs

If you want to get the last slice of pizza, what can you say?
17 Oct 2023 3 min

Each to their own

How do you feel when someone does something that you would never do, but it's OK?
26 Sep 2023 2 min

Fill your boots

If you are presented with an opportunity, how can you tell some to take advantage?
19 Sep 2023 1 min

Join the club

How to tell someone that the bad situation they are experiencing is the same as yours.
12 Sep 2023 2 min

Go with the flow

Learn a phrase to say that you are happy to do what other want to do
5 Sep 2023 3 min

Cakeism

Learn a phrase about wanting to have two good things at the same time.
29 Aug 2023 3 min

Drip feed

Learn a phrase about giving information little by little.
22 Aug 2023 2 min

Scatterbrain

Learn about this word that describes someone disorganised or forgetful.
15 Aug 2023 2 min

On point

A phrase all about being perfect!
8 Aug 2023 2 min

Pet hate

Learn how to describe your annoyance
11 Jul 2023 4 min
20 – 40